A dispute at a Dublin golf club was settled amicably in court yesterday when the men and women involved shook hands on their differences.
Senior counsel for Beech Park golf club Hugh Mohan, and Gerry Ryan, counsel for three women members, gave details of an agreement which ended a legal dispute which had existed for three years between opposing factions over the organisation by the men of a women's competition.
Mabel Thompson, Sadie Hulsman and Frances Duggan, members of Beech Park, Johnstown, Rathcoole, Co Dublin, had claimed they had been accused of having walked out from a women's prize presentation and had sued the club for defamation.
They took their action against 16 members of the management committee.
Mr Justice Esmonde Smyth heard the three women had been having a chat in the club bar on April 25th, 2002, when a prize-giving was about to start following a women's competition.
They did not wish to be disturbed and had moved to the lounge area of the club. Meanwhile, six other women members had walked out in protest at the men having organised the women's competition in opposition to the women's section which was in dispute over a membership issue within the club.
Later Ms Thompson, Ms Hulsman and Ms Duggan were accused of having participated in the walk-out, which they categorically denied, and they were suspended. The suspension of their privileges as club members had lasted only four days but the suspension itself had not been officially lifted until a fortnight later.
In court yesterday their legal team withdrew its claim for damages for defamation following submissions by Mr Mohan that they could not in law sue their own club in that they would be suing themselves.
They held out for an apology on the basis they had not been accorded fair procedures by the management committee in handling the investigation into their alleged participation in the walk-out.
Mr Mohan said there had been division between members of the club, but he wished to state on behalf of the management that the three women were held in the highest esteem and were honourable people. They had a long association with the club which management hoped would continue. "We have through today's airing of this issue reached a very amicable solution to this matter and everyone hopes things can now move on from here."
The committee acknowledged and expressed sincere regret for the distress caused. The committee now accepted the suspensions had been an overreaction.
The plaintiffs were not looking for compensation or damages and agreed there should be no order as to costs.
"I have been asked to express the fact that there will be a shaking of hands and the club can move forward in a united fashion," Mr Mohan said.
The proceedings were struck out with no further order.